Studies have established that ethanol (EtOH) consumption results in damage to the peripheral nervous systems. Although the pathobiological mechanism is still unclear, oxidative stress is known to play an important role in EtOH-induced neurotoxicity. 

Because resveratrol (Res) is attracting increased attention due to its antioxidative properties, Chinese researchers have investigated the neuroprotective efficacy of Res in ethanol-treated embryonic dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in vitro. 

Organotypic DRG explants and a dispersed cell culture model were used to evaluate the effects of Res on EtOH-induced neurotoxicity. Res increased the number of extended nerve fibers and neurons that migrated from the DRG explants. Hoechst 33342 staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end-labeling analysis showed that the EtOH-induced apoptosis was inhibited by Res. The effects of Res were blocked by the 5′-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase inhibitor Compound C and the sirtuin 1 inhibitor nicotinamide.

The elevation of oxidative/nitrosative stress, as measured by the amount of reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, nitrite, glutathione and superoxide dismutase activity, was also attenuated by Res. 

The data from the present study indicate that Res protects DRG neurons from EtOH-induced neurotoxicity. Res and its derivative may be effective for the treatment of diseases characterized by axonopathy and neuron loss induced by EtOH.

dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2012.12.052